By Gio Castaneda
Doane’s university choir recently returned from a transformational tour of South Africa, where students combined music with cultural exchange and getting to learn firsthand about social justice and resilience in a different country.
“The phenomenal thing about South Africa is the diversity of experiences that it offers,” said Kurt Runestad, Doane's choir professor and organizer of the trip. “We stood in Nelson Mandela's prison cell on Robben Island … and sang ‘Asimbonanga’ in the prison courtyard, right next to his cell.”
The choir also performed “Under This Tree,” a piece about inclusivity and belonging, beneath a tree planted by Mandela at his home in Soweto. The performance led to a powerful moment of connection.
“Though we didn’t have tickets to tour Mandela’s home, they invited us in after they heard us sing,” Runestad said.
In addition to musical performances, students visited communities like Khayelitsha and Soweto, where they observed the challenges many South Africans still face, including widespread poverty and limited access to basic services.
Despite the hardship, the choir was met with warmth and generosity.
“South Africa was a life-changing experience for everyone who had the opportunity to attend,” said Elly Weimer, a student in the choir. “For me, the biggest takeaway was the importance of leading with empathy.”
The group also collaborated with the Soweto Gospel Choir, exchanging songs and stories in an emotional performance that highlighted the unifying power of music.
From working with local choirs to encountering South Africa’s wildlife, the tour left a lasting impression on the Doane community.
“This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Weimer said, “and I am deeply grateful for the chance to witness all that South Africa had to offer.”
The choir’s journey comes at an important time for the arts at Doane, as the university prepares to open its new performing arts center. The global experiences gained in South Africa — from cross-cultural collaboration to using music as a tool for empathy and connection — are expected to enrich future performances and learning opportunities on campus.
